The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

Since ChatGPT was released in November of 2022, the world has been swept by a firestorm of AI-driven changes. This powerful new technology has fuelled prophetic predictions that range from utopian optimism to existential dread, leaving many with an unsettling feeling of uncertainty. This Sunday, FirstU member Marc-Etienne Brunet will examine AI through the lens of our shared covenant, providing insights from his role as an AI researcher, and raising questions for the communit

2SLGTBQIA+ communities have been modelling the co-creation of support systems that move beyond biology for generations. What started as vital bonds for those rejected by families of origin has bloomed into networks of friends, partners, mentors, and often ex-lovers, that challenge us all to think bigger and feel deeper when we consider the word: family. Click here to view the service in full Use the 40:03 timestamp to jump directly to Fish Stark's Reflection.

This service is the first of several opportunities for reflection, conversation, and listening as we consider this important step in the life of our congregation, and will mark the official beginning of our congregational discernment process as we listen together for the wisdom, hopes, and commitments of our beloved community. Click here to view the service in full Use the 34:56 timestamp to jump directly to Fish Stark's Reflection.

Two hundred fifty years ago, Thomas Paine wrote that "we have it in our power to begin the world over again." The scientist Stuart Kauffman gave us a newer name for the same hope: the adjacent possible — the better world that already exists in potential, hovering at the edge of this one, waiting for us to take the single step that makes it real. Humanists have never believed that a better world descends from on high or arrives all at once. We believe it is built, here, by ord

There is a power to listening that goes beyond words. To sit with someone while providing a presence, so that in the stillness of that space, they may tune into their own inner voices; their own inner wisdom. This practice of deep listening is at the very core of Spiritual Care, and its sacred teachings can be heard by all who are open to perceive. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:44 timestamp to jump directly to Paul Julien's Reflection.

This Sunday service will be filled with music. We will come together in harmony, embracing the spirit of community. Come and sing along, play along with rhythm instruments and immerse yourself in this shared experience with familiar and meaningful songs. Click here to view the service in full Use the 26:26 timestamp to jump directly to Jodi McIntosh's Reflection.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the 39:37 timestamp to jump directly to Jonathan Dench's Reflection.

In the 1930s, our spiritual forebears bravely asked “whether the organised religious movement known as Unitarianism has any real function to perform in the modern world.” Come and hear their bold response, and Reverend Shawn Gauthier’s equally powerful invitations to us all. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:29 time stamp to jump directly to Reverend Shawn Gauthier's (pre-recorded) Sermon.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the time stamps in the description to jump to our various guest speakers' Reflections.

As we launch into our Summer Service series, Lee Rose will share a reflection on the Adjacent Possible, exploring how life unfolds not through giant leaps, but rather through a series of incremental steps – with each experience, relationship, and act of wonder expanding the horizon of what can come next. Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:28 time stamp in the description to jump to Lee Rose's Reflection.

Exploring the tension between personal salvation and the call to collective liberation. Behind words like community, fellowship, and world community are real, daily choices—choices that shape not only our individual lives, but the kind of world we are building together. Is faith about securing my own well-being, or participating in the freedom of all? What does it mean to be “well” in a world where others remain bound? Today's service will invite us to wrestle with a hauntin

Author bell hooks referred to love as a practice, not a feeling, and observed that “there is no love that does not involve risk.” On this Mother’s Day, we’ll join guest minister, Reverend Erika Hewett, to reflect on what it means to practice love, with all of its risk, in our personal relationships. Click here to watch the service in full Use the 36:05 time stamp in the description to jump to Reverend Erika's Homily

"We are all longing to go home to some place [...] Someplace where we can be free." ~ Starhawk This Sunday, we are joined by guest speakers Sheldon Leong and Sahada Alolo, the Director of Fund Development and the Director of Community Engagement, respectively, of Multifaith Housing Initiative. Click here to view the service in full Use the 46:22 timestamp in the description to jump to Sahada Alolo's Reflection Use the 46:22 timestamp in the description to jump to Sheldon Leon

The Selma, Alabama, Civil Rights Actions in 1965 were a watershed Unitarian event in American history. It had been named by Martin Luther King as a place to pursue voter's rights. After the Rev. James Reeb was murdered there, several hundred Unitarian ministers descended on Selma. There was a 5-day non-violent Gandhian stand-off between the marchers and the police. That was followed by a 50 mile March to Montgomery, Alabama. Reverend Fred, who was the Minister at the UU Sil

A multigenerational service to celebrate nature! The service has been crafted to engage all ages, and is filled with stories, songs, and movement activities! Click here to view the service in full Use the 26:09 time stamp in the description to jump to Jodi's story, "The Great Kapok Tree".

Observing Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, we celebrate and honour the contributions of the transgender community and promote trans joy, resilience, advocacy and inclusivity. Click here to view the service in full Use the time stamps in the description to just to our guest speakers' Reflections.

Introducing the new UU virtual hymnal! We will explore how our hymns reflect our values and help us cultivate resilience, wonder, and wisdom.​ Click here to view the service in full Use the 46:09 time stamp in the description to jump to our Music Director's Reflection.

We are faced with many pressures, internal and external. What practices will help us face the future together? Join us as we celebrate this year’s Sharing our Faith Sunday with a reader’s theatre-style service. Grief, gratitude, imagination, courage, and action will all have their say. Click here to view the service in full Use the time stamps in the description to jump to various Acts in our Reader's Theatre piece.

What do you do when the life you’d imagined for yourself is stuck in committee? Join us for the story of the UU Hysterical Society - a story of feeling lost, finding yourself, and UUism-outside-the-box with UUHS founder Liz James. ​ Click here to view the service in full Use the 35:15 time stamp in the description to jump to Liz James' Reflection

We have a basic need for awe wired into our brains and bodies, so finding awe is easy if we just take a moment and wonder. All of us, no matter our background, can find our own meaningful path to awe. How awesome is that?! Click here to view the service in full Use the 33:25 time stamp in the description to jump to our guest speaker's Reflection.